THE camp of former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday expressed bewilderment over what is descried as the Ombudsman’s fixation on the Leyte congressman.
Romualdez’s legal counsel-spokesman Ade Fajardo said the Ombudsman is apparently still bent on building a case against his client despite the absence of any credible evidence.
“Hindi namin maintindihan kung bakit ganun na lamang ang attention na binibigay nila, ang panggigipit nila kay Rep. Romualdez. Eh wala na namang credible na ebidensiya,” he said.
He said the Ombudsman is specifically targeting the former leader of the House of Representatives despite the fact that other high-ranking public officials and lawmakers have been linked to the flood control scam by the original 18 Maleta Boys.
“Nawala na nga lahat ng mga malalaking opisyal ng pamahalaan nang mag-urungan ang Maleta boys at nagsabi ang karamihan na wala silang alam sa sinasabing deliveries, tinanggal na sa listahan at siguro in-absolved na. Pero iniiwan pa rin ng Ombudsman at mistulang singled out na natitira na lamang ay ang aming kliyente,” he added.
Fajardo said in the case of former Speaker Romualdez, five Maleta Boys, including star witness Orly Guteza, have formally withdrawn their accusations against the Leyte congressman.
“Formal affidavit ang ginawa nila, hindi press release,” he said.
He said the retractions were supported by the assertions of 25 of the recanters’ colleagues who have belied the original allegations of the 18 Maleta Boys.
Despite the withdrawal of the original accusations, the Ombudsman is still trying to put together a case against Romualdez, he added.
“Kaya kami ay naguguluhan kung bakit ganito ang trato nila sa dating Speaker. Masyado na yata siyang pinepersonal,” he stressed.
metrosundaily
